US20190358956A1 - Printing apparatus and head unit - Google Patents

Printing apparatus and head unit Download PDF

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Publication number
US20190358956A1
US20190358956A1 US16/467,452 US201716467452A US2019358956A1 US 20190358956 A1 US20190358956 A1 US 20190358956A1 US 201716467452 A US201716467452 A US 201716467452A US 2019358956 A1 US2019358956 A1 US 2019358956A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
discharge nozzle
nozzle row
ink
reaction liquid
printing
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US16/467,452
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English (en)
Inventor
Kinya Ozawa
Seiichi Taniguchi
Hidenori Usuda
Yasumasa Nakajima
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seiko Epson Corp
Original Assignee
Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION reassignment SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TANIGUCHI, SEIICHI, OZAWA, KINYA, USUDA, HIDENORI, NAKAJIMA, YASUMASA
Publication of US20190358956A1 publication Critical patent/US20190358956A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/1652—Cleaning of print head nozzles by driving a fluid through the nozzles to the outside thereof, e.g. by applying pressure to the inside or vacuum at the outside of the print head
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/015—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process
    • B41J2/04—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand
    • B41J2/045—Ink jet characterised by the jet generation process generating single droplets or particles on demand by pressure, e.g. electromechanical transducers
    • B41J2/04501—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits
    • B41J2/04581—Control methods or devices therefor, e.g. driver circuits, control circuits controlling heads based on piezoelectric elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16552—Cleaning of print head nozzles using cleaning fluids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/1714—Conditioning of the outside of ink supply systems, e.g. inkjet collector cleaning, ink mist removal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/21—Ink jet for multi-colour printing
    • B41J2/2107—Ink jet for multi-colour printing characterised by the ink properties
    • B41J2/2114—Ejecting specialized liquids, e.g. transparent or processing liquids
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/135—Nozzles
    • B41J2/165—Prevention or detection of nozzle clogging, e.g. cleaning, capping or moistening for nozzles
    • B41J2/16517—Cleaning of print head nozzles
    • B41J2/16552—Cleaning of print head nozzles using cleaning fluids
    • B41J2002/16555—Air or gas for cleaning
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J25/00—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for
    • B41J2025/008—Actions or mechanisms not otherwise provided for comprising a plurality of print heads placed around a drum
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2202/00—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet or thermal heads
    • B41J2202/01—Embodiments of or processes related to ink-jet heads
    • B41J2202/20—Modules

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a printing apparatus and a head unit.
  • a printing method using an ink and a reaction liquid containing a substance for aggregating the ink is known.
  • a high-quality printing result can be obtained without using a printing medium dedicated to an ink jet method.
  • a reaction liquid containing a polyvalent metal salt, such as a magnesium salt, a reaction liquid containing a cationic polymer, such as polyallylamine, as a substance for aggregating the ink, or the like is known (refer to, for example, PTL 1).
  • a technique is disclosed in which an airflow is generated between platen gaps to prevent mist from adhering to a head (refer to, for example, PTL 2).
  • a technique is disclosed in which an airflow is aspirated below a platen to prevent mist from adhering to a head (refer to, for example, PTL 3).
  • the present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to be capable of reducing occurrence of printing failure due to the mist of a reaction liquid.
  • an ink discharge nozzle row for discharging an ink a reaction liquid discharge nozzle row for discharging a reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the ink; and a plasma actuator that generates an airflow with respect to a platen gap, are provided.
  • the airflow is generated by the plasma actuator with respect to the platen gap, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row, and it is possible to reduce occurrence of printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid. Further, by providing the plasma actuator, it is unnecessary to provide a large-scale airflow generating apparatus additionally, and equipment cost can be reduced.
  • the plasma actuator is disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row.
  • the plasma actuator is disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row, it is possible to generate the airflow between the ink discharge nozzle row and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row by the plasma actuator, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • an ink jet head that is mounted on a carriage that reciprocates in a direction intersecting with a transport direction of a printing medium and has the ink discharge nozzle row, is further provided.
  • the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator is disposed side by side with the ink discharge nozzle row in a moving direction of the ink jet head.
  • the plasma actuator is disposed side by side with the ink discharge nozzle row in the moving direction of the ink jet head, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row disposed in the moving direction of the ink jet head, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the present invention includes a plurality of the plasma actuators that are disposed to interpose the ink discharge nozzle row therebetween.
  • the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row regardless of the moving direction of the ink jet head, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator generates the airflow in a discharge direction in which the ink discharge nozzle row discharges the ink.
  • the plasma actuator since the plasma actuator generates the airflow in the discharge direction in which the ink discharge nozzle row discharges the ink, it is possible to form an air curtain between the ink discharge nozzle row and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • an ink jet head having the ink discharge nozzle row that extends in a direction intersecting with a transport direction of a printing medium, is further provided.
  • the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator is disposed side by side with the ink discharge nozzle row in the transport direction of the printing medium.
  • the plasma actuator is disposed side by side with the ink discharge nozzle row in the transport direction of the printing medium, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row disposed in the transport direction of the printing medium, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator generates the airflow in a discharge direction in which the ink discharge nozzle row discharges the ink.
  • the plasma actuator since the plasma actuator generates the airflow in the discharge direction in which the ink discharge nozzle row discharges the ink, the air curtain is formed between the ink discharge nozzle row and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • a rotary drum for transporting the printing medium is further provided, and the plasma actuator generates the airflow in a direction opposite to a rotational direction in which the drum rotates.
  • the plasma actuator since the plasma actuator generates the airflow in the direction opposite to the rotational direction in which the drum rotates, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the ink discharge nozzle row includes a first ink discharge nozzle row for discharging a background image printing ink for printing a background image and a second ink discharge nozzle row for discharging a main image printing ink for printing a main image
  • the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row includes a first reaction liquid discharge nozzle row for discharging a reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the background image printing ink and a second reaction liquid discharge nozzle row for discharging the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the main image printing ink
  • the plasma actuator is disposed between the first ink discharge nozzle row and the first reaction liquid discharge nozzle row and between the second ink discharge nozzle row and the second reaction liquid discharge nozzle row.
  • the plasma actuator is disposed between the first ink discharge nozzle row and the first reaction liquid discharge nozzle row and between the second ink discharge nozzle row and the second reaction liquid discharge nozzle row, the mist of the reaction liquid that aggregates the background image printing ink becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row for discharging the background image printing ink, the mist of the reaction liquid that aggregates the main image printing ink becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row for discharging the main image printing ink, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of each reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator disposed between the first ink discharge nozzle row and the first reaction liquid discharge nozzle row generates the airflow having a larger air volume than that of the airflow generated by the plasma actuator disposed between the second ink discharge nozzle row and the second reaction liquid discharge nozzle row.
  • the plasma actuator disposed between the first ink discharge nozzle row and the first reaction liquid discharge nozzle row since the plasma actuator disposed between the second ink discharge nozzle row and the second reaction liquid discharge nozzle row generates the airflow having a larger air volume than that of the airflow generated by the plasma actuator disposed between the second ink discharge nozzle row and the second reaction liquid discharge nozzle row, the mist of the reaction liquid that aggregates the background image printing ink becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row for discharging the background image printing ink and to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row for discharging the main image printing ink, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid that aggregates the background image printing ink.
  • a head unit having a driving voltage generation unit that generates a driving voltage for driving the plasma actuator, and the ink discharge nozzle row is further provided.
  • the present invention it is possible to generate a driving voltage to the plasma actuator driven with a high voltage by the driving voltage generation unit. Therefore, it is unnecessary to lay a high voltage wiring on a flexible cable, and problems, such as insulation, short-circuiting measures, noise countermeasures, and the like, do not occur.
  • a head unit having a driving voltage generation unit that generates a driving voltage for driving the plasma actuator, and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row is further provided.
  • the present invention it is possible to generate a driving voltage to the plasma actuator driven with a high voltage by the driving voltage generation unit. Therefore, it is unnecessary to lay a high voltage wiring on a flexible cable, and problems, such as insulation, short-circuiting measures, noise countermeasures, and the like, do not occur.
  • a length of the plasma actuator is longer than a length of the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row.
  • the length of the plasma actuator is longer than the length of the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the length of the plasma actuator is longer than a length of the ink discharge nozzle row.
  • the length of the plasma actuator is longer than the length of the ink discharge nozzle row, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • an ink discharge nozzle row for discharging an ink a reaction liquid discharge nozzle row for discharging a reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the ink; and a plasma actuator that generates an airflow with respect to a platen gap, are provided.
  • the airflow is generated by the plasma actuator with respect to the platen gap, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row, and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid. Further, by providing the plasma actuator, it is unnecessary to provide a large-scale airflow generating apparatus additionally, and equipment cost can be reduced.
  • FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an outline of a printing apparatus according to a first embodiment.
  • FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a head unit of the printing apparatus.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view from a liquid discharge surface side of FIG. 2 .
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a basic structure of a plasma actuator.
  • FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a modification example of disposition of the plasma actuators.
  • FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a modification example of disposition of the plasma actuators.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the printing apparatus.
  • FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an outline of a printing apparatus according to a second embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic view from a liquid discharge surface side of FIG. 7 .
  • FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an outline of the printing apparatus.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic view from a liquid discharge surface side of FIG. 10 .
  • FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an outline of a printing apparatus according to a third embodiment.
  • FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an outline of the printing apparatus.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a printing apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment.
  • the printing apparatus 1 is provided with a flat platen 2 .
  • a predetermined printing medium 3 is transported to an upper surface of the platen 2 in a transport direction HY 1 by a paper feed mechanism (not illustrated).
  • the platen 2 may be provided with an ink abandoning region during marginless printing.
  • Examples of the printing medium 3 include a roll paper sheet wound in a roll shape, a cut sheet cut to a predetermined length, and a continuous sheet to which a plurality of sheets are connected to each other.
  • the printing media are a plain paper sheet, a paper sheet, such as a copying paper sheet or a thick paper sheet, and a sheet, such as a sheet made of synthetic resin, and the sheets which have been subjected to processing, such as coating or infiltration, can also be used.
  • a form of the cut sheet for example, in addition to a regular size cut paper sheet, such as a PPC paper sheet or a postcard, a form of a booklet in which a plurality of sheets, such as passbooks, are bound, or a form formed into a bag shape, such as an envelope, can be employed.
  • a form of a continuous sheet for example, a continuous paper sheet folded at a predetermined length can be employed, in which sprocket holes are formed at both ends in a width direction.
  • a guide shaft 5 that extends in a direction TY 1 (intersecting direction) orthogonal to the transport direction HY 1 of the printing medium 3 is provided.
  • a carriage 10 is provided on the guide shaft 5 so as to freely reciprocate along the guide shaft 5 via a driving mechanism (not illustrated). In other words, the carriage 10 reciprocates along the guide shaft 5 in the direction TY 1 orthogonal to the transport direction HY 1 .
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a head unit 16 of the printing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic view from a liquid discharge surface 12 side of FIG. 2 .
  • a serial type ink jet head 11 is mounted on the carriage 10 .
  • the liquid discharge surface 12 has a reaction liquid discharge surface 12 a , an ink discharge surface 12 b , and a reaction liquid discharge surface 12 c.
  • reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a which is opened to the reaction liquid discharge surface 12 a and configured with a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the ink discharged from each of ink discharge nozzle rows 14 ba to 14 bd which will be described later onto the printing medium 3 , is formed.
  • the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a is formed in two rows in parallel.
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 ba to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 bd which are opened to the ink discharge surface 12 b and configured with a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging the ink onto the printing medium 3 , are formed.
  • each of the ink discharge nozzle rows 14 ba to 14 bd is formed in two rows in parallel.
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 ba discharges a cyan (C) ink onto the printing medium 3 .
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 bb discharges a magenta (M) ink onto the printing medium 3 .
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 bc discharges a yellow (Y) ink onto the printing medium 3 .
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 bd discharges a black (K) ink onto the printing medium 3 .
  • each of the ink discharge nozzle row 14 ba to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 bd will be referred to as an ink discharge nozzle row 14 b.
  • a reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c which is opened to the reaction liquid discharge surface 12 c and configured with a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle rows 14 ba to 14 bd onto the printing medium 3 , is formed.
  • the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c is formed in two rows in parallel.
  • reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c for example, a liquid using polyvalent metal salt, such as magnesium salt, a liquid containing a cationic polymer, such as polyallylamine, as an ink coagulant that reacts with a resin or a pigment component in the ink and aggregates the resin or the pigment component, or the like, is employed.
  • a liquid using polyvalent metal salt such as magnesium salt
  • a liquid containing a cationic polymer such as polyallylamine
  • a gap (space) between the liquid discharge surface 12 and the platen 2 , or the gap (space) between the liquid discharge surface 12 and the printing medium 3 is collectively referred to as a platen gap.
  • the ink jet head 11 includes a driving element 36 ( FIG. 7 ), such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the reaction liquid from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a .
  • a reaction liquid cartridge 15 a for supplying a reaction liquid to be discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a is mounted on the carriage 10 .
  • the reaction liquid cartridge 15 a is a cartridge having a tank for storing the reaction liquid to be discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a.
  • the ink jet head 11 includes the driving element 36 ( FIG. 7 ), such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the ink from each of the ink discharge nozzle rows 14 ba to 14 bd .
  • the driving element 36 FIG. 7
  • ink cartridges 15 ba to 15 bd for supplying the ink to the ink jet head 11 are mounted on the carriage 10 .
  • the ink cartridge 15 ba supplies the cyan ink to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 ba .
  • the ink cartridge 15 bb supplies the magenta ink to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 bb .
  • the ink cartridge 15 bc supplies the yellow ink to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 bc .
  • the ink cartridge 15 bd supplies the black ink to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 bd.
  • the ink jet head 11 includes the driving element 36 ( FIG. 7 ), such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the reaction liquid from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c .
  • a reaction liquid cartridge 15 c for supplying the reaction liquid to be discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c is mounted on the carriage 10 .
  • the reaction liquid cartridge 15 c is a cartridge having a tank for storing the reaction liquid to be discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c.
  • the head unit 16 is configured with the carriage 10 , the ink jet head 11 , the reaction liquid cartridge 15 a , the ink cartridges 15 ba to 15 bd , and the reaction liquid cartridge 15 c .
  • the ink jet head 11 includes the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a , the ink discharge nozzle rows 14 ba to 14 bd , and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c , but the head including the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and the head including the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c may be configured separately from the ink jet head 11 including the ink discharge nozzle rows 14 ba to 14 bd .
  • each of the reaction liquid cartridge 15 a , the ink cartridges 15 ba to 15 bd , and the reaction liquid cartridge 15 c may be installed at a place other than the head unit 16 .
  • a plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge surface 12 a and the ink discharge surface 12 b and between the reaction liquid discharge surface 12 c and the ink discharge surface 12 b .
  • the two plasma actuators 20 are disposed to interpose the ink discharge surface 12 b therebetween.
  • the two plasma actuators 20 are disposed to interpose the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b therebetween.
  • Each of the plasma actuators 20 is formed longer than at least one of the length of the ink discharge nozzle row 14 or the length of the ink discharge nozzle row 14 .
  • each of the plasma actuators 20 may be any support, may be supported by being fitted to the ink jet head 11 , or may be supported by the carriage 10 .
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view illustrating a basic structure of the plasma actuator 20 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is configured with two thin film electrodes 21 a and 21 b and a dielectric layer 22 interposed between the electrodes 21 a and 21 b .
  • a plasma discharge 23 is generated at a part interposed between the upper electrode 21 a and the dielectric 22 , and accordingly, an airflow that flows from the upper electrode 21 a to the lower electrode 21 b is generated.
  • the plasma actuator 20 can simply control the generation, stop, or airflow velocity of the airflow by controlling the application of the AC voltage.
  • two thin film electrodes 21 b may be prepared and disposed so as to interpose the electrode 21 a . By doing so, when one side of the two electrodes 21 b is selected, a direction in which the airflow is generated can be controlled in both forward and reverse directions.
  • the reaction liquid is discharged from any of the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c .
  • the printing apparatus 1 discharges the reaction liquid from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a onto the printing medium 3 , and discharges the ink from the ink discharge nozzle rows 14 ba to 14 bd onto the discharged reaction liquid.
  • the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b is aggregated by the reaction liquid.
  • the printing apparatus 1 discharges the reaction liquid from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c onto the printing medium 3 , and discharges the ink from the ink discharge nozzle rows 14 ba to 14 bd onto the discharged reaction liquid.
  • the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b is aggregated by the reaction liquid.
  • the mist of the reaction liquid is generated between the platen gaps, adheres to the ink discharge surface 12 b , is thickened, and is solidified, and accordingly, there is a possibility that the printing failure occurs.
  • the ink jet head 11 moves, there is a possibility that the airflow is generated in the platen gap in the direction opposite to the moving direction due to the movement of the ink jet head 11 .
  • the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a flows in the direction opposite to the direction TY 11 (direction TY 12 ), adheres to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b , is thickened, and is solidified.
  • the mist of the reaction liquid reacts with the resin or the pigment component in the ink and aggregates the resin or the pigment component, that is, is thickened and solidified. When this occurs in a nozzle opening portion, flying curve or nozzle clogging occurs.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b and between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b .
  • the two thin film electrodes 21 a and 21 b of the plasma actuator 20 and the dielectric layer 22 interposed between the electrodes 21 a and 21 b are disposed in the gap between the ink jet head 11 and the plasma actuator 20 in FIG. 2 .
  • the gap may be a space between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle rows 14 a and 14 c or a space between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b , or the electrodes may be disposed both between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle rows 14 a and 14 c and between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b .
  • the printing apparatus 1 can reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed side by side with the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b in the moving direction of the ink jet head 11 .
  • the moving direction of the ink jet head 11 corresponds to the moving direction of the carriage 10 , that is, the direction TY 1 orthogonal to the transport direction HY 1 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 By disposing the plasma actuator 20 and generating the airflow by the plasma actuator 20 , it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b disposed in the moving direction of the ink jet head 11 , and it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b disposed in the moving direction of the ink jet head 11 . Therefore, in the printing apparatus 1 , it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the two plasma actuators 20 are disposed to interpose the ink discharge surface 12 b therebetween.
  • the moving direction of the ink jet head 11 is the direction TY 11
  • the reaction liquid is discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a
  • the reaction liquid is not discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c . Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 drives the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b .
  • the printing apparatus 1 drives the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b . It is needless to say that both the plasma actuators 20 may be driven regardless of the moving direction, or only one of the plasma actuators 20 that corresponds to the moving direction may be driven.
  • the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in a discharge direction IY 1 (in a case of FIG. 3 , from the nozzle surface 12 b toward a front side) in which the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b discharges the ink.
  • a discharge direction IY 1 in a case of FIG. 3 , from the nozzle surface 12 b toward a front side
  • the plasma actuator 20 since the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the discharge direction IY 1 , an air curtain is formed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b and between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b .
  • the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 since the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the discharge direction IY 1 of the ink, it is possible to suppress disturbance of a landing position of the reaction liquid. Further, it becomes possible to make the mist of the reaction liquid land on the printing medium 3 .
  • generation of the airflow in the discharge direction IY 1 corresponds to generation of the airflow to the platen gap.
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 are views illustrating modification examples of the disposition of the plasma actuators 20 .
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the head unit 16 of the printing apparatus 1 .
  • FIG. 6 is a schematic view when the head unit 16 is viewed from the liquid discharge surface 12 of FIG. 5 .
  • the plasma actuators 20 are disposed two by two between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b and between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b such that the airflows are generated in directions facing each other.
  • each of the plasma actuators 20 By disposing each of the plasma actuators 20 in this manner, since the airflows facing each other collide with each other between the two plasma actuators 20 , as illustrated in FIG. 5 , it is possible to generate the airflow in the discharge direction IY 1 in which the ink is discharged. In addition, in the two plasma actuators 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b , the airflow is also similarly generated in the discharge direction IY 1 in which the ink is discharged. Therefore, even in a case where the plasma actuator 20 is disposed as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the same effects as those described above can be obtained.
  • the direction in which the airflow is generated is not limited to the discharge direction IY 1 of the ink.
  • the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b may be configured to generate the airflow in the direction of the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a . Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b.
  • the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b may be configured to generate the airflow in the direction of the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c . Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b.
  • the configurations may be combined with each other. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b.
  • FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.
  • the printing apparatus 1 includes a control unit 30 for controlling each part, and various driver circuits for driving various motors and the like in accordance with the control of the control unit 30 or outputting a detection state of a detection circuit to the control unit 30 .
  • the various driver circuits include a head driver 32 , a carriage driver 33 , a plasma actuator driver 34 , and a paper feed driver 35 .
  • the control unit 30 centrally controls each part of the printing apparatus 1 .
  • the control unit 30 includes a CPU, an executable basic control program, a ROM that stores data or the like related to the basic control program in a nonvolatile manner, a RAM that temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU, predetermined data, and the like, other peripheral circuits, and the like.
  • the head driver 32 is connected to a driving element 36 , such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the ink, respectively.
  • the driving element 36 is driven under the control of the control unit 30 and discharges a necessary amount of ink from the nozzle hole.
  • the carriage driver 33 is connected to the carriage motor 37 , outputs a driving signal to the carriage motor 37 , and operates the carriage motor 37 within a range instructed by the control unit 30 .
  • the plasma actuator driver 34 is connected to the plasma actuator 20 , outputs the driving signal to the plasma actuator 20 , and drives the plasma actuator 20 by the control unit 30 .
  • the paper feed driver 35 is connected to a paper feed motor 38 , outputs the driving signal to the paper feed motor 38 , and operates the paper feed motor 38 only by an amount instructed by the control unit 30 . In accordance with the operation of the paper feed motor 38 , the printing medium 3 is transported only by a predetermined amount in the transport direction HY 1 .
  • the printing apparatus 1 includes a driving voltage generation unit 39 for generating a driving voltage for driving the plasma actuator 20 .
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is connected to the plasma actuator 20 and the plasma actuator driver 34 .
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is supported by the carriage 10 , for example, and is mounted on the head unit 16 .
  • a flexible cable for transmitting a head driving signal is disposed on the moving carriage 10 . Additionally laying a high voltage wiring for driving the plasma actuator 20 in the flexible cable is not preferable because problems, such as insulation distance, short-circuiting measures, noise countermeasure, and the like, occur.
  • a low voltage power source supply line is disposed in the flexible cable, and the driving voltage generation unit 39 is mounted on the head unit 16 .
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 takes the low voltage power source as an input voltage and boosts the voltage to a high voltage in the head unit 16 .
  • the power source for driving the piezoelectric element may be used as an input voltage of the driving voltage generation unit 39 .
  • a thermal head driving power source can be used as the input voltage of the driving voltage generation unit 39 . It is needless to say that an independent low voltage power source line may be laid in the flexible cable.
  • the high voltage wiring for driving the plasma actuator 20 may be laid in the flexible cable, and for the high voltage wiring, a cable different from the flexible cable for transmitting the head driving signal may be laid.
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is mounted on the head unit 16 , it is possible to generate the driving voltage to the plasma actuator 20 driven with a high voltage by the driving voltage generation unit 39 . Therefore, it is unnecessary to lay the high voltage wiring in the flexible cable provided in the carriage 10 , and problems, such as insulation, short-circuiting measures, noise countermeasures, and the like, do not occur.
  • the printing apparatus 1 includes: the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b for discharging the ink; the reaction liquid discharge nozzle rows 14 a and 14 c for discharging the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the ink; and the plasma actuator 20 that generates the airflow with respect to the platen gap.
  • the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid. Further, by providing the plasma actuator 20 , it is unnecessary to provide a large-scale airflow generating apparatus additionally, and equipment cost can be reduced.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a . In addition, the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c , it is possible to generate the airflow therebetween, and the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b . Therefore, the printing apparatus 1 can reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the printing apparatus 1 includes the ink jet head 11 that is mounted on the carriage 10 that reciprocates in the direction intersecting with the transport direction HY 1 of the printing medium 3 and has the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed side by side with the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b in the moving direction of the ink jet head 11 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed side by side with the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b in the moving direction of the ink jet head 11 , the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b disposed in the moving direction of the ink jet head 11 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the printing apparatus 1 includes a plurality (two in the present embodiment) of the plasma actuators 20 disposed to interpose the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b therebetween.
  • the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b regardless of the moving direction of the ink jet head 11 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the discharge direction IY 1 in which the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b discharges the ink.
  • the plasma actuator 20 since the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the discharge direction IY 1 in which the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b discharges the ink, the air curtain is formed by the airflow between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 a and between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 c . Therefore, in the printing apparatus 1 , the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is mounted on the head unit 16 .
  • FIG. 8 is a view illustrating an outline of a printing apparatus 1 a according to the second embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is a schematic view from a liquid discharge surface 82 side of FIG. 8 .
  • a head unit 40 having a reaction liquid head 50 in order from the upstream side in a transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 , a head unit 40 having a reaction liquid head 50 , a head unit 41 a having an ink jet head 51 a for discharging the cyan ink, a head unit 41 b having an ink jet head 51 b for discharging the magenta ink, a head unit 41 c having an ink jet head 51 c for discharging the yellow ink, a head unit 41 d having an ink jet head 51 d for discharging the black ink, a heating unit 52 , and a fixing roller pair 53 are disposed.
  • the printing medium 3 is held by a transport belt 71 hung between a roller 61 and a roller 62 and transported in the transport direction HY 2 .
  • the transport belt that moves in the transport direction HY 2 in the transport belt 71 is referred to as a transport belt 71 a.
  • the reaction liquid head 50 is a line type head and is supported by a supporting member 100 .
  • a surface opposing the transport belt 71 a of the reaction liquid head 50 is a reaction liquid discharge surface 80 .
  • a reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d which is opened to the reaction liquid discharge surface 80 and configured with a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the ink discharged from each of the ink discharge nozzle rows 14 e to 14 h which will be described later onto the printing medium 3 , is formed.
  • the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d is formed so as to extend in a direction TY 2 (intersecting direction) orthogonal to the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 .
  • the reaction liquid head 50 includes the driving element 36 , such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the reaction liquid from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d .
  • a reaction liquid cartridge 90 for supplying the reaction liquid to the reaction liquid head 50 is mounted on the supporting member 100 .
  • the reaction liquid cartridge 90 is a cartridge having a tank for storing the reaction liquid to be discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d.
  • the head unit 40 is configured with the supporting member 100 , the reaction liquid head 50 , and the reaction liquid cartridge 90 .
  • the ink jet head 51 a is a line type head and is supported by a supporting member 101 .
  • the surface opposing the transport belt 71 a of the ink jet head 51 a is an ink discharge surface 81 a .
  • an ink discharge nozzle row 14 e which is opened to the ink discharge surface 81 a and configured with a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging the cyan ink onto the printing medium 3 , is formed.
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 e is formed so as to extend in the direction TY 2 orthogonal to the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 .
  • the ink jet head 51 a includes the driving element 36 , such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the ink from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 e .
  • the driving element 36 such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the ink from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 e .
  • an ink cartridge 91 a for supplying the cyan ink to the ink jet head 51 a is mounted on the supporting member 101 .
  • the head unit 41 a is configured with the supporting member 101 , the ink jet head 51 a , and the ink cartridge 91 a.
  • the ink jet head 51 b is a line type head and is supported by a supporting member 102 .
  • the surface opposing the transport belt 71 a of the ink jet head 51 b is an ink discharge surface 81 b .
  • an ink discharge nozzle row 14 f which is opened to the ink discharge surface 81 b and configured with a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging the magenta ink onto the printing medium 3 , is formed.
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 f is formed so as to extend in the direction TY 2 orthogonal to the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 .
  • the ink jet head 51 b includes the driving element 36 , such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the ink from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 f .
  • the driving element 36 such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the ink from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 f .
  • an ink cartridge 91 b for supplying the magenta ink to the ink jet head 51 b is mounted on the supporting member 102 .
  • the head unit 41 b is configured with the supporting member 102 , the ink jet head 51 b , and the ink cartridge 91 b.
  • the ink jet head 51 c is a line type head and is supported by the supporting member 103 .
  • the surface opposing the transport belt 71 a of the ink jet head 51 c is an ink discharge surface 81 c .
  • an ink discharge nozzle row 14 g which is opened to the ink discharge surface 81 c and configured with a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging the yellow ink onto the printing medium 3 , is formed.
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 g is formed so as to extend in the direction TY 2 orthogonal to the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 .
  • the ink jet head 51 c includes the driving element 36 , such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the reaction liquid from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 g .
  • the driving element 36 such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the reaction liquid from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 g .
  • an ink cartridge 91 c for supplying the yellow ink to the ink jet head 51 c is mounted on the supporting member 103 .
  • the head unit 41 c is configured with the supporting member 103 , the ink jet head 51 c , and the ink cartridge 91 c.
  • the ink jet head 51 d is a line type head and is supported by a supporting member 104 .
  • the surface opposing the transport belt 71 a of the ink jet head 51 d is an ink discharge surface 81 d .
  • an ink discharge nozzle row 14 h which is opened to the ink discharge surface 81 d and configured with a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging the black ink onto the printing medium 3 , is formed.
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 h is formed so as to extend in the direction TY 2 orthogonal to the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 .
  • the ink jet head 51 d includes the driving element 36 , such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the reaction liquid from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 h .
  • the driving element 36 such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the reaction liquid from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 h .
  • an ink cartridge 91 d for supplying the black ink to the ink jet head 51 d is mounted on the supporting member 104 .
  • the head unit 41 d is configured with the supporting member 104 , the ink jet head 51 d , and the ink cartridge 91 d.
  • a gap (space) between the liquid discharge surface 82 and the transport belt 71 a , or the gap (space) between the liquid discharge surface 82 and the printing medium 3 also corresponds to the platen gap.
  • the liquid discharge surface 82 is a surface including the reaction liquid discharge surface 80 and the ink discharge surfaces 81 a to 81 d.
  • the ink discharge nozzle rows will be referred to as an ink discharge nozzle row 14 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 e .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is formed longer than at least one of the length of the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the length of the ink discharge nozzle row 14 . By doing so, the mist generated from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed to generate the airflow in a discharge direction IY 2 in which the ink discharge nozzle row 14 discharges the ink.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is supported by the supporting member 100 .
  • the support of the plasma actuator 20 may be supported, for example, by being fitted to the reaction liquid head 50 , and may be any support as long as the support is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 e.
  • the heating unit 52 illustrated in FIG. 8 heats and dries the printing medium 3 onto which the reaction liquid and the ink are discharged.
  • the fixing roller pair 53 illustrated in FIG. 8 has a plurality of fixing rollers, pressurizes the printing medium 3 with a predetermined pressure, and accordingly fixes the ink discharged onto the printing medium 3 to the printing medium 3 .
  • the fixing roller pair 53 may also serve as both heating and pressing.
  • the printing apparatus 1 a discharges the ink by the ink discharge nozzle rows 14 e to 14 h while transporting the printing medium 3 in the transport direction HY 2 while holding the printing medium 3 with the transport belt 71 a , and prints the image on the printing medium 3 .
  • the printing apparatus 1 a discharges the reaction liquid from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d before the ink is discharged from the ink discharge nozzle rows 14 e to 14 h . In this manner, since the printing apparatus 1 a discharges the reaction liquid, as described above, it is possible to obtain a high-quality printing result even when a plain paper sheet or a recycled paper sheet is used.
  • the mist of the reaction liquid is generated between the platen gaps, adheres to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and there is a possibility that the printing failure occurs.
  • the airflow that flows in the transport direction HY 2 is generated in the platen gap due to the transport of the printing medium 3 , and there is a high probability that the mist of the reaction liquid adheres to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 disposed on the downstream side in the transport direction HY 2 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 e . Since the plasma actuator 20 is disposed in this manner, it is possible to generate the airflow between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 e . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed side by side with the ink discharge nozzle row 14 in the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 . Since the plasma actuator 20 is disposed in this manner, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 disposed in the transport direction HY 2 , it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to a mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed to generate the airflow in the discharge direction IY 2 in which the ink discharge nozzle row 14 discharges the ink. Since the plasma actuator 20 is disposed in this manner, it is possible to form the air curtain between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 e . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the flow of the mist of the reaction liquid to the downstream side in the transport direction HY 2 . Therefore, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid. In addition, since the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the discharge direction IY 2 of the ink, it is possible to suppress disturbance of the landing position of the reaction liquid due to the airflow caused by the transport of the printing medium 3 .
  • the configuration in a case of discharging the ink of each color including cyan, magenta, yellow, and black onto the printing medium 3 has been exemplified.
  • the printing apparatus 1 a in order to print a background image as a base image of an image formed by the ink of each color including cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, there is a case where the background image printing ink is discharged.
  • the images formed by the ink of each color including cyan, magenta, yellow, and black correspond to a main image to be superimposed and printed on the background image, and the ink of each color including cyan, magenta, yellow, and black corresponds to main image printing ink for printing the main image.
  • FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an outline of the printing apparatus 1 a for discharging the background image printing ink.
  • FIG. 11 is a schematic view of FIG. 10 when viewed from the liquid discharge surface 82 side.
  • the same parts as those in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
  • a head unit 44 having a reaction liquid head 54 and a head unit 45 having an ink jet head 55 for discharging the background image printing ink are disposed further on the upstream side in the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 than the head unit 40 .
  • the head unit 44 is disposed further on the upstream side in the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 than the head unit 45 .
  • a white (W) ink is exemplified as the background image printing ink.
  • the reaction liquid head 54 is a line type head and is supported by a supporting member 105 .
  • a surface opposing the transport belt 71 a of the reaction liquid head 54 is a reaction liquid discharge surface 84 .
  • a reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i which is opened to the reaction liquid discharge surface 84 and configured with a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j which will be described later onto the printing medium 3 , is formed.
  • the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i is formed so as to extend in the direction TY 2 (intersecting direction) orthogonal to the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 .
  • the reaction liquid head 54 includes the driving element, such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the reaction liquid from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i .
  • a reaction liquid cartridge 94 for supplying the reaction liquid to the reaction liquid head 54 is mounted on the supporting member 105 .
  • the reaction liquid cartridge 94 is a cartridge having a tank for storing the reaction liquid to be discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i.
  • the head unit 44 is configured with the supporting member 105 , the reaction liquid head 54 , and the reaction liquid cartridge 94 .
  • the ink jet head 55 is a line type head and is supported by a supporting member 106 .
  • a surface opposing the transport belt 71 a of the ink jet head 55 is an ink discharge surface 85 .
  • an ink discharge nozzle row 14 j which is opened to the ink discharge surface 85 and configured with a plurality of nozzle holes for discharging the white ink onto the printing medium 3 , is formed.
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j is formed so as to extend in the direction TY 2 orthogonal to the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 .
  • the ink jet head 55 includes the driving element, such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the reaction liquid from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j .
  • the driving element such as a piezoelectric element for discharging the reaction liquid from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j .
  • an ink cartridge 95 for supplying the white ink to the ink jet head 55 is mounted on the supporting member 106 .
  • the head unit 45 is configured with the supporting member 106 , the ink jet head 55 , and the ink cartridge 95 .
  • the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i is a reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the white ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j .
  • the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i is a reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the white ink as the background image printing ink.
  • the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d is a reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks as the main image printing ink.
  • the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i corresponds to a first reaction liquid discharge nozzle row since the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i discharges the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the white ink as the background image printing ink.
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j corresponds to a first ink discharge nozzle row since the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j discharges the white ink as the background image printing ink.
  • the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d corresponds to a second ink discharge nozzle row since the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d discharges the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks as the main image printing ink.
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 corresponds to a second ink discharge nozzle row since the ink discharge nozzle row 14 discharges the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks as the main image printing ink.
  • a gap (space) between the liquid discharge surface 82 and the transport belt 71 a , or the gap (space) between the liquid discharge surface 82 and the printing medium 3 also corresponds to the platen gap.
  • the liquid discharge surface 82 is a surface including the reaction liquid discharge surface 80 , the ink discharge surfaces 81 a to 81 d , the reaction liquid discharge surface 84 , and the ink discharge surface 85 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is formed longer than at least one of the length of the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the length of the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j . By doing so, the mist generated from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed to generate the airflow in the discharge direction IY 2 of the ink. In the present embodiment, the plasma actuator 20 is supported by the supporting member 105 .
  • the support of the plasma actuator 20 may be supported, for example, by being fitted to the reaction liquid head 54 , and may be any support as long as the support is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is formed longer than at least one of the length of the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the length of the ink discharge nozzle row 14 . By doing so, the mist generated from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed to generate the airflow in the discharge direction IY 2 of the ink.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is supported by the supporting member 106 .
  • the support of the plasma actuator 20 may also be any support as long as the support is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j.
  • the printing apparatus 1 transports the printing medium 3 in the transport direction HY 2 while holding the printing medium 3 with the transport belt 71 a of the printing medium 3 .
  • the printing apparatus 1 a discharges the reaction liquid from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i onto the printing medium 3 .
  • the printing apparatus la discharges the white ink from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j onto the discharged reaction liquid and prints a background image on the printing medium 3 .
  • the reaction liquid is discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d onto the printing medium 3 , discharges the ink from the ink discharge nozzle rows 14 e to 14 h onto the reaction liquid, and accordingly prints a main image superimposing the ink on the background image.
  • the mist of the reaction liquid is generated between the platen gaps, adheres to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and there is a possibility that the printing failure occurs.
  • the mist of the background image printing ink is generated more than the mist of the main image printing ink. Therefore, compared to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 for discharging the main image printing ink, there is a higher probability that the printing failure occurs due to the mist of the reaction liquid in the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j for discharging the background image printing ink.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j and between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 . Since the plasma actuator 20 is disposed in this manner, it is possible to generate the airflow between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j and between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the discharge direction IY 2 of the ink. Since the plasma actuator 20 is disposed in this manner, the air curtain is formed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j , and the air curtain is formed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the flow of the mist of the reaction liquid to the downstream side in the transport direction HY 2 .
  • the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j
  • the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed to generate the airflow in the discharge direction IY 2 of the ink, it is possible to suppress disturbance of the landing position of the reaction liquid by the transport of the printing medium 3 .
  • the airflow of the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j is set to have a larger air volume than that of the airflow of the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 .
  • the airflow of the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j is set to have a larger air volume than that of the airflow of the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 . Therefore, even in a case where a large amount of mist is generated similar to the background image printing ink, it is possible to reliably reduce the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the air volume of the airflow of the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 is set to be large in accordance with the air volume of the airflow of the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j .
  • the plasma actuator 20 since the plasma actuator 20 requires a high voltage to drive, when the air volume of the airflow of the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j and the air volume of the airflow of the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 are set to be the same as each other, there is a concern regarding the power consumption.
  • the airflow of the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j to be larger than the airflow of the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , after suppressing the power consumption, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d . Therefore, it is possible to suppress the flow of the mist of the background image printing ink discharged from the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j to the downstream side in the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 . Therefore, even in a case where the background image printing ink is aggregated due to the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d , since it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the background image printing ink to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the reaction liquid. Further, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the background image printing ink to the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d.
  • the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 1 a in the present embodiment is the same as the configuration except for the carriage driver 33 and the carriage motor 37 in FIG. 7 .
  • the printing apparatus 1 a includes the driving voltage generation unit 39 for driving the plasma actuator 20 .
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is mounted on each of the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 .
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is supported by the supporting member 100 , for example.
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is supported by the supporting member 105 , for example.
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is supported by the supporting member 106 , for example.
  • At least the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 are provided with the flexible cable for transmitting the head driving signal. Additionally laying a high voltage wiring for driving the plasma actuator 20 in the flexible cable is not preferable because problems, such as insulation distance, short-circuiting measures, noise countermeasure, and the like, occur.
  • the low voltage power source supply line is disposed in the flexible cable, and the driving voltage generation unit 39 is mounted on the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 .
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 takes the low voltage power source as an input voltage and boosts the voltage to a high voltage in the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 .
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is mounted on the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 , it is possible to generate the driving voltage to the plasma actuator 20 driven with a high voltage by the driving voltage generation unit 39 . Therefore, it is unnecessary to lay the high voltage wiring in the flexible cable in the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 , and problems, such as insulation, short-circuiting measures, noise countermeasure, and the like, do not occur.
  • the printing apparatus 1 a of the present embodiment includes the ink jet heads 51 a to 51 d provided with the ink discharge nozzle row 14 that extends in the direction TY 2 (intersecting direction) orthogonal to the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 .
  • the printing apparatus 1 a including the ink jet heads 51 a to 51 d provided with the ink discharge nozzle row 14 that extends in the direction TY 2 , since the airflow is generated by the plasma actuator 20 with respect to the platen gap, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed side by side with the ink discharge nozzle row 14 in the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed side by side with the ink discharge nozzle row 14 in the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 , the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 disposed in the transport direction HY 2 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the discharge direction IY 2 in which the ink discharge nozzle row 14 discharges the ink.
  • the plasma actuator 20 since the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the discharge direction IY 2 in which the ink discharge nozzle row 14 discharges the ink, the air curtain is formed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d , the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the printing apparatus 1 a includes the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j (first ink discharge nozzle row) for discharging the background image printing ink for printing the background image, and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 (second ink discharge nozzle row) for discharging the main image printing ink for printing the main image, as the ink discharge nozzle row.
  • the printing apparatus 1 a includes the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i (first ink discharge nozzle row) for discharging the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the background image printing ink, and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d (second reaction liquid discharge nozzle row) for discharging the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the main image printing ink, as the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d . Therefore, the mist of the reaction liquid that aggregates the background image printing ink becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j , the mist of the reaction liquid that aggregates the main image printing ink becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of each reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i generates the airflow having a larger air volume than that of the airflow generated by the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d.
  • the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i generates the airflow having a larger air volume than that of the airflow generated by the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the ink discharge nozzle row 14 and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d . Therefore, the mist of the reaction liquid that aggregates the background image printing ink becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid that aggregates the background image printing ink.
  • the printing apparatus 1 a includes the head unit 45 having the driving voltage generation unit 39 and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j.
  • the printing apparatus 1 a includes the head unit 40 having the driving voltage generation unit 39 and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d .
  • the printing apparatus 1 a includes the head unit 44 having the driving voltage generation unit 39 and the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i.
  • the ink jet heads 50 to 51 are described as extending in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction HY 2 , but may not be necessarily orthogonal.
  • the nozzle row may be disposed to cover the printing region of the printing medium 3 .
  • the direction in which the airflow is generated is not limited to the discharge direction IY 2 of the ink. Further, as long as it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j , the direction in which the airflow is generated is not limited to the discharge direction IY 2 of the ink.
  • the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 may be configured to generate the airflow in the direction opposite to the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 . Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j may be configured to generate the airflow in the direction opposite to the transport direction HY 2 of the printing medium 3 . Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j.
  • FIG. 12 is a view illustrating an outline of a printing apparatus 1 b according to the third embodiment.
  • the same part as that in the printing apparatus 1 b according to the second embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the printing apparatus 1 b according to the third embodiment includes a rotary drum DR 1 , and transports the printing medium 3 in a rotational direction KH of the drum DR 1 according to the rotation of the drum DR 1 .
  • the head unit 40 in order from the upstream side in the rotational direction KH, the head unit 40 , the head unit 41 a , the head unit 41 b , the head unit 41 c , and the head unit 41 d are disposed.
  • the head unit 40 is disposed such that the reaction liquid discharge surface 80 opposes the surface of the drum DR 1 .
  • the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d is formed on the reaction liquid discharge surface 80 .
  • the head unit 41 a is disposed such that the ink discharge surface 81 a opposes the surface of the drum DR 1 .
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 e is formed on the ink discharge surface 81 a .
  • the head unit 41 b is disposed such that the ink discharge surface 81 b opposes the surface of the drum DR 1 .
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 f is formed on the ink discharge surface 81 b .
  • the head unit 41 c is disposed such that the ink discharge surface 81 c opposes the surface of the drum DR 1 .
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 g is formed.
  • the head unit 41 d is disposed such that the ink discharge surface 81 d opposes the surface of the drum DR 1 .
  • the ink discharge nozzle row 14 h is formed.
  • the gap (space) between the reaction liquid discharge surface 80 and the surface of the drum DR 1 opposing the reaction liquid discharge surface 80 , or the gap (space) between the reaction liquid discharge surface 80 and the printing medium 3 also corresponds to the platen gap.
  • the gap (space) between the ink discharge surface 81 a and the surface of the drum DR 1 opposing the ink discharge surface 81 a , or the gap (space) between the ink discharge surface 81 a and the printing medium 3 also corresponds to the platen gap.
  • the gap (space) between the ink discharge surface 81 b and the surface of the drum DR 1 opposing the ink discharge surface 81 b , or the gap (space) between the ink discharge surface 81 b and the printing medium 3 also corresponds to the platen gap.
  • the gap (space) between the ink discharge surface 81 c and the surface of the drum DR 1 opposing the ink discharge surface 81 c , or the gap (space) between the ink discharge surface 81 c and the printing medium 3 also corresponds to the platen gap.
  • the gap (space) between the ink discharge surface 81 d and the surface of the drum DR 1 opposing the ink discharge surface 81 d , or the gap (space) between the ink discharge surface 81 d and the printing medium 3 also corresponds to the platen gap.
  • the reaction liquid is discharged from the head unit 40 onto the printing medium 3 transported in the rotational direction KH, and the ink is discharged from the head unit 41 a to the head unit 41 d on the discharged reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the drum DR 1 .
  • the drum DR 1 Due to the rotation of the drum DR 1 , there is a case where the airflow is generated in the rotational direction KH in the platen gap due to the rotation. Therefore, there is case where the mist of the reaction liquid discharged from the head unit 40 flows in the rotational direction KH of the drum DR 1 and adheres to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 positioned on the downstream side in the rotational direction KH.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the reaction liquid.
  • the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the drum DR 1 . Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the airflow in the rotational direction KH caused by the rotation of the drum DR 1 in the platen gap, and to suppress the flow of the mist of the reaction liquid to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 positioned on the downstream side in the rotational direction KH. In other words, in the printing apparatus 1 b , it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • FIG. 13 is a view illustrating an outline of the printing apparatus 1 b according to the third embodiment for discharging the background image printing ink.
  • the same parts as those in FIGS. 10 and 12 will be given the same reference numerals, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.
  • the head unit 44 and the head unit 45 are disposed on the upstream side in the rotational direction KH of the head unit 40 .
  • the head unit 44 is disposed further on the upstream side in the rotational direction KH than the head unit 45 .
  • the head unit 44 is disposed such that the reaction liquid discharge surface 84 opposes the surface of the drum DR 1 . On the reaction liquid discharge surface 84 , the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i is formed. In addition, the head unit 45 is disposed such that the ink discharge surface 85 opposes the surface of the drum DR 1 . On the ink discharge surface 85 , the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j is formed.
  • the gap (space) between the reaction liquid discharge surface 84 and the surface of the drum DR 1 opposing the reaction liquid discharge surface 84 also corresponds to the platen gap.
  • the gap (space) between the ink discharge surface 85 and the surface of the drum DR 1 opposing the ink discharge surface 85 also corresponds to the platen gap.
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 i and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 j and between the reaction liquid discharge nozzle row 14 d and the ink discharge nozzle row 14 .
  • each of the plasma actuators 20 generates the airflow in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the drum DR 1 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is disposed to generate the airflow in the direction opposite to the rotational direction of the drum DR 1 . Accordingly, even in a case where the printing apparatus 1 b is provided with the rotary drum DR 1 and discharges the background image printing ink, the same effect as the effect described in the second embodiment is exerted.
  • the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is the same as the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 1 b in the second embodiment.
  • the printing apparatus 1 b includes the driving voltage generation unit 39 for driving the plasma actuator 20 .
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is mounted on each of the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 .
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is supported by the supporting member 100 , for example.
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is supported by the supporting member 105 , for example.
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is supported by the supporting member 106 , for example.
  • the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 are provided with the flexible cable for transmitting the head driving signal. Additionally laying a high voltage wiring for driving the plasma actuator 20 in the flexible cable is not preferable because problems, such as insulation distance, short-circuiting measures, noise countermeasure, and the like, occur. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the low voltage power source supply line is disposed in the flexible cable, and the driving voltage generation unit 39 is mounted on the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 . The driving voltage generation unit 39 takes the low voltage power source as an input voltage and boosts the voltage to a high voltage in the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 .
  • the driving voltage generation unit 39 is mounted on the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 , it is possible to generate the driving voltage to the plasma actuator 20 driven with a high voltage by the driving voltage generation unit 39 . Therefore, it is unnecessary to lay the high voltage wiring in the flexible cable in the head unit 40 , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 , and problems, such as insulation, short-circuiting measures, noise countermeasure, and the like, do not occur.
  • the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the airflow is generated in the direction opposite to the rotational direction KH of the drum DR 1 .
  • the airflow generated by the plasma actuator 20 may be a surface direction of the drum DR 1 . Even in this direction, it is possible to suppress the flow of the mist of the reaction liquid on the downstream side in the rotational direction KH of the drum DR 1 , and thus, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the reaction liquid.
  • the drum on which the head unit 40 and the head units 41 a to 41 d are disposed may be different.
  • the drum on which the head unit 40 is disposed and the drum on which the head units 41 a to 41 d are disposed are disposed.
  • a configuration in which, in the vicinity of one drum DR 1 , from the upstream side in the rotational direction KH, the head unit 44 , the head unit 45 , the head unit 40 , and the head units 41 a to 41 d are disposed, has been exemplified.
  • the drum on which the head unit 44 and the head unit 45 are disposed and the drum on which the head unit 40 and the head units 41 a to 41 d are disposed may be different.
  • the drum on which the head unit 44 and the head unit 45 are disposed and the drum on which the head unit 40 and the head units 41 a to 41 d are disposed are disposed.
  • the printing apparatus 1 b includes the rotary drum DR 1 that transports the printing medium 3 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the direction opposite to the rotational direction KH in which the drum DR 1 rotates.
  • the printing apparatus 1 b includes the drum DR 1 , since the plasma actuator 20 generates the airflow in the direction opposite to the rotational direction KH in which the drum DR 1 rotates, the mist of the reaction liquid becomes unlikely to adhere to the ink discharge nozzle row 14 b , and it is possible to reduce the occurrence of the printing failure due to the mist of the reaction liquid.
  • the printing apparatus 1 discharges the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks onto the printing medium 3 and prints the image on the printing medium 3 has been exemplified.
  • the printing apparatus 1 in the first embodiment may also be configured to print the background image on the printing medium 3 .
  • the ink jet head for discharging the background image printing ink and the reaction head for discharging the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the background image printing ink are mounted on the head unit 16 .
  • the plasma actuator 20 is appropriately disposed such that it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the mist of the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the background image printing ink to the ink discharge nozzle row for discharging the background image printing ink.
  • the ink jet head for discharging the background image printing ink and the reaction head for discharging the reaction liquid having properties of aggregating the background image printing ink may be integrated with the ink jet head 11 .
  • the same reaction liquid may be used even when different reaction liquids are used as the reaction liquid that aggregates the background image ink and the reaction liquid that aggregates the main image ink.
  • the air volume of the airflow generated by the plasma actuator 20 that corresponds to the mist of the reaction liquid that aggregates the background image ink is larger than the airflow generated by the plasma actuator 20 that corresponds to the mist of the reaction liquid that aggregates the main image ink. It is needless to say that similar configurations can also be applied to the printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment and the printing apparatus 1 b of the third embodiment which are described above, and the same operational effects can be achieved.
  • the printing apparatus 1 a according to the second embodiment and the printing apparatus 1 b according to the third embodiment which are described above respectively include the head unit 40 and the head units 41 a to 41 d which are separated from each other has been exemplified.
  • the head unit 40 and the head units 41 a to 41 d may be configured to be integrated with each other.
  • a configuration in which the printing apparatus 1 a according to the second embodiment and the printing apparatus 1 b according to the third embodiment which are described above respectively include the head unit 40 , the head units 41 a to 41 d , the head unit 44 , and the head unit 45 which are separated from each other has been exemplified.
  • the head units may be configured to be integrated with each other.
  • the white ink is exemplified as the background image printing ink.
  • the background image printing ink is not limited to the white ink, but may be, for example, metallic ink or may be ink used for printing the background image.
  • the main image printing ink the cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks have been exemplified.
  • the main image printing ink is not limited to the inks, but may be, for example, ink used in printing the main image to be superimposed and printed on the background image.
  • each functional unit illustrated in FIG. 7 indicates a functional configuration, and a specific embodiment is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not always necessary to mount hardware that corresponds to each functional unit individually, and it is needless to say that the function of a plurality of functional units is realized by executing a program by one processor.
  • some of the functions realized by software in each of the above-described embodiments may be realized by hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be realized by software.
  • specific detailed configurations of the other parts of the printing apparatuses 1 , 1 a , and 1 b can be changed in any manner without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

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  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Particle Formation And Scattering Control In Inkjet Printers (AREA)
US16/467,452 2016-12-09 2017-11-30 Printing apparatus and head unit Abandoned US20190358956A1 (en)

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JP2016239652A JP6801418B2 (ja) 2016-12-09 2016-12-09 印刷装置、及び、ヘッドユニット
JP2016-239652 2016-12-09
PCT/JP2017/043195 WO2018105500A1 (ja) 2016-12-09 2017-11-30 印刷装置、及び、ヘッドユニット

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JP5084478B2 (ja) * 2007-12-07 2012-11-28 キヤノン株式会社 インクジェット記録ヘッドおよびインクジェット記録装置
JP2010184376A (ja) * 2009-02-10 2010-08-26 Fujifilm Corp インクジェット記録装置およびインクジェット記録方法
JP2011121277A (ja) * 2009-12-10 2011-06-23 Canon Inc インクジェット記録装置
JP5982254B2 (ja) * 2012-10-25 2016-08-31 富士フイルム株式会社 印字方法
JP2015093467A (ja) * 2013-11-14 2015-05-18 セイコーエプソン株式会社 液体噴射装置
JP6330997B2 (ja) * 2014-01-22 2018-05-30 セイコーエプソン株式会社 記録装置
JP6632190B2 (ja) * 2014-03-25 2020-01-22 キヤノン株式会社 液体吐出装置および液体吐出方法
JP2016175402A (ja) * 2015-03-19 2016-10-06 キヤノン株式会社 液体吐出ヘッドの製造方法
US10155390B2 (en) * 2015-04-20 2018-12-18 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Aerosol control in a printer

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